Hi friend 🙂
You’re starting high school! Excited for the freedom? Activities? Parties?
Listen up if you want to learn how to thrive socially, personally, and overall know the best way to do high school.
I felt really prepared for high school, but by winter break of my first year, that perception was flipped upside down. I was struggling in my classes, felt anxious around socializing, and felt stuck: there were things I was interested in, but I was nervous to explore them.
Now, I’m a rising high school senior who loves my current experience. I’ve built up my career through great habits, lessons, and practice.
I want you to thrive, so I am sharing my best advice for high school with you.
Participate in That Activity 🎭🏕️🏃♀️
If you want to join a club, activity, sport, etc, this is your sign to join!!
Joining activities as an underclassmen is what underclassmen are expected to do. But, sometimes it can still be nerve wracking. However, if you don’t join now, you may be less likely to join later the further into high school you get because it can be scary to be an older beginner.
But … if you’re an upperclassman who isn’t starting an activity because you feel behind, that’s totally valid. I nervously joined my school’s Model UN team later than most do, barely participated in my first conference lol, but now I lead the club!
Everyone else has been a beginner at some point, so they should understand. If they don’t, remember that they have a small-minded opinion and you shouldn’t let the judgment of others take away from your best life?
Explore Different Friendships 👯♀️👯♀️
When it comes to high school friendships, I encourage you to be open minded about the different people who you interact with. Because everybody is developing in high school, friendships develop too – whether that is growing closer or further apart.
Feeling afraid of not fitting in or being excluded are completely valid because high school is a huge part of our lives, and enjoying it socially is one of the most rewarding parts! By interacting with a wide variety of people, you can find who you enjoy being around, lifts you up, and encourages you to be authentic.
You don’t need to be best friends with everyone, but make an effort to interact with those around you – just one interaction is the first step!
Start That Conversation!
Ever wanted to start a conversation with someone – and even had a conversation opener – but held back? Same here! I have had numbers like “how are you?”s and questions ready to say, yet did not say them out of fear.
High school social life can feel daunting, and starting a conversation with someone you don’t know well can feel like a challenge. But, that’s exactly why you should do it!
By pushing yourself, you could both make a friend and become better at talking to others 🙂
If it’s awkward, who cares?! That struggle will help you alter your approach, improving your social skills in the process.
Build in Quiet Space
As a teenager in today’s world, it can feel like there is just so much noise: social media, endless assignments, and interpersonal relationships – phew! Even though it may be tempting to rush through your days, waking up at the last possible minute to maximize sleep when you’re sleep deprived, finding time with the sole purpose of chilling alone can be so beneficial!
First, time without an urgent purpose is very healthy for the brain because it helps it make connections, something that can benefit you not only academically, but spark random helpful, creative, or substantial ideas or realizations.
Second, finding enjoyment can help you discover what you like. As you explore hobbies in your relaxation time, you could learn more about yourself. For example, maybe you read a nonfiction book and realize that you are interested in pursuing a certain topic you learned about. Or, that self-care nights are a great de-stressor for you!
Relaxed space can be built in slowly: 5 minutes every so often, to settle into a system that works for you. Personally, I like to have a slower morning routine on the weekends where I read and make myself hot lemon water 🙂
Hugs,
Meredith